Process Work
Course Outcome(s): Generating Inquiry, Information Literacy, Contributing Knowledge, Revision
Data coding and analysis: I analyzed retro gaming communities and fan-produced digital genres, focusing on how different genres like READMEs, Translation patches, and ROM hacks serve as tools for preservation within these communities. In addition, I also looked at how they convey their niche through different genres. Through the use of genre analysis, I gathered and analyzed five sources: Mother 3 README, Chrono Trigger Translation README, Forum posts that were studied by Mora-Cantallops, and Wulf’s study on video game nostalgia and retro gaming.
Course Outcome(s): Generating Inquiry, Information Literacy, Research Genre Production
Textual Analysis: I conducted a genre analysis exploring how the retro gaming community uses fan created genres to preserve gaming history. I analyzed each source thoroughly and by identifying how the authors discuss the different community practices, I was able to gather the different genres used within those practices. I specifically looked for elements like audience, structure, and tone within these writings. One of the major findings from this analysis was that fan-created genres are not only used as a form of documentation, but also serve as artifacts within said communities, serving to foster the communities growth and identity. But this analysis was not without its problems, I encountered the issue with how the two sources had some differences in how they viewed community participation. I decided I’d be focusing on how the two studies treated the writing genres specifically.
Course Outcomes: Generating Inquiry, Information Literacy, Research Genre Production, Contributing Knowledge
Generating Claims: In this process work, I made a claim based upon the research that I had been conducting, I argue that fan-created genres like READMEs, ROM Hacks, and Translation patches not only function as technical patches, but also as cultural artifacts. These various genres serve as different means of preserving retro gaming history, while also pushing their communities forward and creating an identity based upon collaboration and feedback. The genres also allow community improvement, and the expression of ethical respect to the original developers. I believe this piece helped me gain clarity on the fact that I should shift focus from just pure documentation, to how these genres of documentation shape and reflect the retro gaming community’s identity. I believe this builds on how my literature review and textual analysis reinforce my research question, overall sharpening my final argument.